Use our interactive web page to learn how you encounter IP in everyday life

Every day you come into contact with products that have protected intellectual property (IP). Whether it is your brand of bread, or the armchair you sit in, the car you drive, or the shoes you wear. IP is everywhere.

Commercialising your IP is the process you undertake to get your products or services into the market place, including how to commercialise internationally, licensing, and commercialising indigenous business.

eServices is a secure, reliable and convenient way to access a range of IP Australia's transactions and services. With eServices, you can apply for an IP right or make a payment to renew your IP right.

A patent is a right granted for any device, substance, method or process that is new, inventive and useful. Find out more on the application process, time and costs, searching for a patent and how to apply.

A trade mark is a right that is granted for a logo, picture, letter, number, word, phrase, sound, smell and/or aspect of packaging. Find out more on the application process, time and costs, searching for a trade mark and how to apply.

A design refers to the features of shape, configuration, pattern or ornamentation that gives a product a unique appearance. Find out more on the application process, time and costs, searching for a design and how to apply.

Plant Breeder's Right (PBR) are used to protect new varieties of plants that are distinguishable, uniform and stable. Find out more on the application process, time and costs, searching for a PBR and how to apply.

The four IP rights areas administered by IP Australia are not the only types of IP available. Your product may require protection under copyright, circuit layout rights, confidentiality and/or trade secrets.

We are aware that customers have received invitations from companies offering services to help them protect their intellectual property (IP) rights in return for a fee. You should be wary of unsolicited or fraudulent IP protection, promotional or advertising services.

Before paying a fee for any IP related service, we recommend that you carefully consider what, if any, protection, promotion or other value the service will provide.

Unsolicited IP services

We are aware that customers have received invitations from companies offering services to help them protect their intellectual property (IP) rights in return for a fee. You should be wary of unsolicited or fraudulent IP protection, promotional or advertising services.

Before paying a fee for any IP related service, we recommend that you carefully consider what, if any, protection, promotion or other value the service will provide. If you are in any doubt about an invoice you have received check with your patent or trade mark attorney, solicitor, inventors association or with us. If you think your invoice is a scam, it can be reported to the
Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC),
Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) which has the power to act on scams, and the Department of Fair Trading in your respective state.

Most Australian companies providing support in registration, maintenance, promotion or advertising of IP are reputable. However, you should be cautious when receiving correspondence or responding to invoices regarding your IP.

The companies sending misleading invoices are not linked to any Government or Community institution and you are NOT obliged to pay their fees. Many customers have told us they thought the mail came from an official source and think they have to use, and pay for, the services offered.

The ACCC provides information to consumers and small businesses on their website
SCAMwatch to help you recognise, avoid and report scams.

When we publish personal information on the internet or in online databases, that information may be accessed by individuals anywhere in the world. We have no control over the subsequent use and disclosure of that personal information and cannot be accountable for any subsequent use under the Privacy Act. Be aware that your details become publicly available once you have filed for an IP Right. View our
privacy policy for further information about how we handle your personal information.

Patent and trade mark registers

If you own a registered patent or trade mark, you may find yourself the target of letters regarding overseas registration of your application. Letters from unfamiliar organisations, especially letters requesting payment for unsolicited services, should be treated with caution.

People who send unofficial invoices/letters may offer to:

Register or renew your IP Right for a fee

Publish your patent or trade marks in an international publication or register

Provide a monitoring service for your patent or trade mark

Whatever services might be offered, they bear no connection to us or any of our official publications. Treat these offers with caution.

WIPO also provides a
list of companies requesting payment from PCT applicants and agents which are unrelated to the processing of international applications under the PCT.

Unnecessary services?

You may receive correspondence from an overseas lawyer or attorney firm informing you that someone has applied to register your trade mark in another country and offering their services if you decide to oppose registration.

This is a legitimate service but may only be relevant if you intend to use your trade mark in that particular country. If you have no such intention you do not need to take any action.

What do the unsolicited invitations look like?

Invitations are often issued as official-looking invoices, some examples are listed below: